Food Pairing: How to Combine Wine and Salmon

Fish is a controversial food. While some people do not like its soft texture and salty taste, others love it because it is lighter and often healthier than meat. One of the most popular types of fish is salmon. And as it is also a very versatile sea creature, it can be prepared in numerous ways and served with many different types of wine. But which wine and salmon pairings are best?

The best wine to pair with salmon is a white wine with a medium or full body. To stand the oily rich flesh, it needs a decent level of acidity. Oaked Chardonnay and Riesling are good matches. Their citrus flavors complement most salmon dishes.

Depending on preparation and seasoning, other wines, including reds and sparkling wines can be great alternatives. So let us discuss the best wine and salmon pairings.

WHAT IS SALMON AND HOW DOES IT TASTE?

Salmon is a saltwater fish that is native to the Pacific as well as the Atlantic Ocean. It is fished from the wild, especially in Alaska, or bred in fish farms in Norway or Chile. With its oily pink flesh and its rich and refreshing taste, it differs significantly from other seafood. It might remind you of light meat rather than fish. That’s why many people, who do not like fish in general, enjoy eating salmon.

Another fact that makes salmon popular worldwide is that it’s rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin D. Omega-3 acids are good for the heart, and Vitamin D helps prevent diseases like cancer and diabetes. So salmon is actually great for your health.

As it is a very versatile fish, you can prepare it in numerous ways. You can poach, grill, bake, or smoke it. You can serve it with a creamy sauce or season it with herbs and a bit of lemon juice. Besides, it is common to eat salmon raw as tartare or sushi. Depending on the preparation method and the seasoning, you can create very different culinary experiences.

WHICH WINE AND SALMON PAIRINGS WORK BEST?

The general rules for pairing food and wines are pretty simple: Red wines go with red meat, and white wines go with white meat. Strictly speaking, fish is not meat, but for the sake of simplicity, it is usually put into the white meat category. And it is common to combine fish dishes with light and dry white wines.

As mentioned before, salmon is different, though. Due to its rich flavor, it can easily overpower light-bodied wines. Thus, medium- or full-bodied wines that have intense and complex flavors are better matches. Oaked Chardonnay, White Burgundy, Marsanne, or Riesling have these characteristics.

Even red wines can be great matches for salmon. It is essential to go for low-tannin wines, though. Sharp, crisp tannins can cause an unpleasant metallic taste when combined with the oily, salty flesh of salmon.

No matter if you prefer whites or reds, you should take the cooking method, the seasoning, and the side dishes into consideration before making your choice. With preparation and the use of spices, you can create very different culinary experiences that might require another wine pairing. Let us have a closer look at specific wine and salmon matches.

Raw Salmon and Wine

The following wines are worth trying:

Crispy Baked Salmon and Wine

Baking salmon in the oven gives it a crispy skin and intense flavors. A light-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir is a great pairing for this preparation. An option for lovers of red wine is Beaujolais, a French wine made from Gamay grapes. It is low in tannins but high in acidity. Its fruity and earthy aromas complement the salmon’s flavors superbly. Sangiovese can work as well. But as its tannins tend to be much more intense, it can overpower the fish.

Riesling that is not too dry is a good pick for white wine lovers. Try a German Riesling Kabinett or Riesling Spätlese that is labeled as “restsüß” (or “restsüss”):

By grilling salmon, you can add smoky flavors to it. These rich aromas allow you to pair it with full-bodied red wines. As said before, you have to consider tannins when matching red wine and salmon. Tannins can create an unpleasant metallic taste when combined with fish, so always go for low-tannin wines.

Gamay is a great choice, and like for raw salmon, you can also go for a Saignée rosé wine. If you are more into whites than into reds, pick a dry Pinot Gris (check the recommendations in the Asian-style salmon section below).

When barbecued with Cajun- or Creole-style spices, a more robust red is the right choice for a delicious wine and salmon match. Merlot or Zinfandel wines will do the job:

Smoked Salmon and Wine

Smoked salmon with onions and lemon (juice) is a traditional Christmas meal in some parts of Europe. But it is also a well-known breakfast dish when served with cream cheese on bread or toast. Match your salty smoked salmon and wine with a good level of acidity.

For red wine lovers, Grenache (or Garnacha as it is called in Spain) is a great option too. Its smoky and earthy flavors match perfectly with the taste of the smoked salmon. Besides, the medium tannins and decent acidity balance the fish’s fatty texture.

In case you prefer white wine, choose a German Riesling. Its citrus flavors are perfect for creating a delicious salmon and wine pairing:

Instead of white and red still wines, many gourmets drink sparkling wines like Sekt or Champagne with smoked salmon. White and rosé styles tend to taste delicious with it. They balance the fattiness and saltiness of the fish and the smoky aromas just perfectly.

If you are open to some experimenting, you can also try Manzillado Sherry, which is a dry fortified wine from Spain.

Glazed Salmon and Wine

Especially in Asian cuisine, salmon often is served glazed. Teriyaki, Yakitori, or similar glazes typically contain sweet ingredients like brown sugar, honey, agave syrup, or pineapple juice.

Match your sweet-glazed salmon and wine with distinct citrus aromas. Many dry whites belong to this category, for instance, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, or Albariño.

Fans of fortified wines can also pair glazed salmon preparations with Sherry Fino.

Roasted or Poached Salmon and Wine

Another classic preparation for salmon is a creamy topping like sauce béarnaise, a yogurt-cucumber-dressing, or a horseradish topping with dill. The right pairing for these dishes is a semi-sweet or sweet wine. Great options are the formerly mentioned sweet Rieslings or still Moscato wines. In case you like sparkling wines, try a Lambrusco:

If you prefer dry wines, oaked Chardonnay, as well as Sauvignon Blanc, are good choices. focus on those from the New World, for example, Australia:

Asian Style Salmon and Wine

Fish is an ingredient in many spicy meals from Vietnamese, Thai, or Indonesian cuisine. Dishes like Choo Chee or Thai Curry-style salmon combine fruity and spicy flavors with a creamy texture.

Pair these dishes with fruity white wines, for example, German Riesling or French Sémillion. Dry wines are fine, but you can also try an off-dry or semi-sweet style.

Another alternative to pair Asian-style salmon and wine is Italian Pinot Grigio. These bottles are worth opening:

FINAL WORDS

No matter which style of preparing and seasoning you choose, you will find multiple wine and salmon pairings that work fine. In the end, the perfect pairing is a question of personal preference. Thus, you should try different styles to find out which pairing you like best. And maybe it makes sense to offer your guests more than one option to choose from when hosting your next salmon dinner party.